If you're looking for a book that shares real, raw experiences about growing up, working, dating, coping and thriving as a gay person with a bipolar dIf you're looking for a book that shares real, raw experiences about growing up, working, dating, coping and thriving as a gay person with a bipolar disorder, then you'll probably really like this one. I picked this book up totally at random from the bookstore because I love reading memoirs, and I'm very glad I got to read about someone's experiences that are different from my own....more
I probably ruined this book for my husband because I kept cackling and reading passages to him. It's very charming and good, and written so well that I probably ruined this book for my husband because I kept cackling and reading passages to him. It's very charming and good, and written so well that you will keep cackling and reading passages to your husband (or whomever)....more
This is one of those books I don't know how I missed reading in school. I remember my little brother having to read it, but somehow it was never assigThis is one of those books I don't know how I missed reading in school. I remember my little brother having to read it, but somehow it was never assigned to me. So, finally, I picked it up. It's a hard read, but an important one. And still so relevant to what's going on in our country today....more
I really enjoyed this! I adore Steve Martin and love reading memoirs, so this was a recipe for success for me. I really enjoyed the playful, sort of lI really enjoyed this! I adore Steve Martin and love reading memoirs, so this was a recipe for success for me. I really enjoyed the playful, sort of light way he shared his stories. We get a glimpse into his rise through the comedy ranks from his perspective, which is interesting. It's a charming and funny read without being full of jokes (besides the jokes he purposefully shares to make points). It's honest. Definitely worth the read!...more
I've long been interested in the Presidency and life of Harry Truman, but only recently got around to doing anything about that interest. Truman has aI've long been interested in the Presidency and life of Harry Truman, but only recently got around to doing anything about that interest. Truman has a few different memoirs, but I chose this one because from what I read, "Mr. Citizen" was the only one that wasn't heavily ghostwritten. It focused primarily on his life after the Presidency, which was a good start for me. If I continue down this path I think I'll choose a biography for the next one.
Overall, I enjoyed this -- it's a little dense and wordy for a man who was famous for using simple words, but I know that's a product of the times. And I wish it had been a bit more about what his life was like rather than him just sharing opinions of how things ought to be. But, his book, his rules, I guess. Oh, Harry....more
I plowed through this one. It had been on my 'to-read' list for quite awhile, and I finally picked it up. I didn't even realize they were memoirs at fI plowed through this one. It had been on my 'to-read' list for quite awhile, and I finally picked it up. I didn't even realize they were memoirs at first, it reads so like a work of fiction.
So many heartbreaking things happened to these children, but they protected and looked out for one another when their parents couldn't or wouldn't....more
This one is terribly interesting. After WWII, the US forced Japan to rewrite their constitution. When they didn't do it to our liking, we did it for tThis one is terribly interesting. After WWII, the US forced Japan to rewrite their constitution. When they didn't do it to our liking, we did it for them. Beate Sirota Gordon was one of the women employed by the army in post-war Japan, specializing in languages. She had also lived for many years in Japan with her parents.
When the decision to write their own constitution was made, they pulled her aside and basically said, "You lived in Japan. You're a woman. You'll write the section on women's rights". And she did....more
A young girl becomes the bride of the crown prince in Yi Dynasty Korea. As they age, the Prince begins to suffer from a mental illness which makes himA young girl becomes the bride of the crown prince in Yi Dynasty Korea. As they age, the Prince begins to suffer from a mental illness which makes him act aggressive, even violent.
The events that unfold throughout Lady Hyegyong's life are fascinating and terrible....more
One thing that struck me as I read "China Men", and again as I read "The Woman Warrior" is Kingston's unique writing style. She doesn't stick to a sinOne thing that struck me as I read "China Men", and again as I read "The Woman Warrior" is Kingston's unique writing style. She doesn't stick to a single narrative, and when she does, she moves onto tangents and side-stories that help enhance the original story she is trying to tell.
The cover describes this book as her memoir of growing up as a Chinese immigrant and working in her family's laundry during the mid-20th century. But it's so much more than that! It's not just what happened to her, it's her imaginings, daydreams, and interpretation of her family's history (based solely on the few things she had been told be aunts or parents).
Amy Poehler is such an amazing person. I love, love, love her positive messaging and her humor. Go read this book immediately. It is both funny and heAmy Poehler is such an amazing person. I love, love, love her positive messaging and her humor. Go read this book immediately. It is both funny and heartwarming....more
I knew going in that the tv series was going to be different from the book, but never have I wished harder that I had read the book FIRST.
I love the sI knew going in that the tv series was going to be different from the book, but never have I wished harder that I had read the book FIRST.
I love the show, and the book is also a fascinating look into the prison system in America - the ups and downs, the unethical, often abusive treatment of prisoners.
However, my enjoyment of it was hindered by the fact that my brain insisted on trying to draw connections between the book and the show. Whenever Piper met a new character, I tried to match that character up with one in the show. Sometimes there are direct pairs (Delicous/Taystee), but often times characters or events in the show are just mashups of the real people/events that Piper encountered.
Not that any of this was surprising to me - televised versions of thing are always so much more dramatic than real life. But Piper's experience was dramatic enough. This is an informational, entertaining, and thought-provoking read.
If you're reading this review and wondering where to start, READ THE BOOK BEFORE YOU WATCH THE SHOW! You will enjoy them both, but don't do what I did ruin the book for yourself in advance! That's my recommendation, anyway. I can understand people who would advocate the opposite - it could be hard to adjust from the mega-dramatic, ultra-sexy times on the show to the normal humanity you'll find in the book....more
This is one of the longest, most detailed set of Chinese memoirs I've read thus far. Much of Kang Zhengguo's story mirrors that of other Chinese citizThis is one of the longest, most detailed set of Chinese memoirs I've read thus far. Much of Kang Zhengguo's story mirrors that of other Chinese citizens who were labelled as landlords or reactionaries, only this book has more meat to it than some others that I've read. It took me much longer to finish than others have.
His family class and his desire to learn (particularly literature and foreign languages) made him a perpetual target for the Communist party. He spent time in labor camps doing jobs of varying difficulty, was run out of school and his town, changed his name, was adopted as an adult by a peasant in the hopes it would make his life a bit easier, and experienced numerous other bizarre and horrifying setbacks even after his exodus to the United States.
Kang's story provides a glimpse into the life that ordinary Chinese led during Mao's leadership of the Communist Party.
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